The City’s Town Planning Scheme No.4 provides a number of mechanisms to protect significant trees or groups of trees. Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) is one mechanism which allows the City to serve a notice requiring landholders to preserve a tree or group of trees under Clause 80A of Schedule A. This notice prevents landholders from cutting, removing or otherwise destroying any preserved tree unless the City grants approval or rescinds the notice or order.

The issuing of a TPO is used when the tree in question is of such significance that additional protection is warranted. The tree must meet at least one significance criteria as provided in the City’s Local Planning Policy PLN 2.4: Tree Preservation, including:

  1. Heritage Significance
  2. Species Significance
  3. Location, Landscape and Landmark Significance.

If the tree(s) meets one or more of these criteria, the condition of the tree(s) and its existing and potential impacts are assessed.

Any person may request that the City investigate the significance of a tree with a view to issuing a notice under Clause 80A of Schedule A of Town Planning Scheme No. 4. Such requests should be prepared with detailed justification using the form provided in Local Planning Policy PLN 2.4: Tree Preservation as linked below. The City may issue the TPO or decline to do so.

Local Planning Policy PLN 2.4: Tree Preservation
Tree Register Nomination Form

Category: 
Planning